15.3 Supporting land ecosystems through action
Hasanuddin University is committed to ensuring the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of land, particularly in forest, mountain, and dryland ecosystems under the university’s authority. This commitment is reflected in several policies and regulations, namely:
- Rector Regulation No. 41 of 2023 on the Management of the Educational Forest as a Special Purpose Forest Area, which mandates that the management of the educational forest must be conducted sustainably, safeguard biodiversity, and prevent ecosystem degradation (Article 4). It also regulates conservation activities, the rehabilitation of critical lands, and the monitoring of forest resource use by the academic community and the public (Article 7).
- Rector’s Decree No. 03210/UN4.1/KEP/2024, which establishes the Green Campus Policy to reinforce the implementation of green campus principles and support terrestrial ecosystem conservation as well as the achievement of the SDGs.
- Rector’s Decree No. 00828/UN4.1.2/KEP/2024 concerning the formation of the Campus Forest Tree Pruning and Cutting Team, as part of a planned and sustainable vegetation management strategy.
- Rector Regulation on the Spatial and Building Utilization of the Campus (2022), still in effect in 2024, which also adopts green campus principles by encouraging the reduction of built-up land, the expansion of vegetated areas, and environmentally friendly land management.
- Hasanuddin University’s Strategic Plan (Renstra) 2020–2024, which strengthens the direction of the above policies through environmental and campus ecosystem management strategies, including land restoration, green space development, and the conservation of forest and mountain ecosystems within and surrounding the campus.
Concrete implementation is realized through the development of the Unhas Educational Forest in Bengo-Bengo, Maros, covering 30 hectares, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This arboretum hosts over 70 species of endemic plants from various regions of Indonesia and serves as a center for conservation, research, and agro-edutourism, integrated with the development of the Science and Techno Park (STP). The program also includes the management of non-timber forest products and community empowerment through social forestry in the villages surrounding the educational forest.
On another front, the management policy for the Tamalanrea Campus Urban Forest, with more than 5,900 trees from 20 species, including endangered Diospyros celebica (Sulawesi ebony). These activities reflects Unhas’s strong commitment to the preservation of terrestrial ecosystems and the control of microclimates.
Hasanuddin University (Unhas) has a clear policy for identifying, monitoring, and protecting species listed in the IUCN Red List as well as the national conservation list, particularly those found within the university’s operational areas. One of the key policy instruments is Rector Regulation No. 41 of 2023 concerning the Guidelines for the Management of the Educational Forest as a Special Purpose Forest Area. Article 4 states that the educational forest must be managed sustainably by preserving biodiversity, including rare and endangered flora and fauna. Article 7 emphasizes the obligation of the academic community and related parties to conduct conservation, restoration, and species monitoring activities, and to report the outcomes to support preservation efforts. This policy remains in effect and continues to be implemented, particularly in 2024.
In addition, the university has issued a Circular Letter on the Protection of Certain Plants and Animals, reinforcing the protection of rare and endangered flora and fauna within the campus environment.
Unhas is also actively implementing these policies through research and conservation activities. For instance, Unhas students have conducted awareness campaigns on Sulawesi’s endemic wildlife as part of efforts to monitor and protect rare species and FMIPA students conducted research on endemic fish in Lake Lontoa. Moreover, the Unhas Educational Forest in Bengo-Bengo, Maros, is managed as a 30-hectare arboretum, housing around 70 species of endemic Indonesian plants. This area serves as a hub for conservation, research, and agro-edutourism, supporting the protection of local biodiversity. UNHAS is also collaborating with the KEHATI Foundation to establish Biodiversity Warriors to support biodiversity conservation.
Through these policies and their implementation, Unhas ensures that all its operational activities support the conservation of protected species and contribute to maintaining the balance of terrestrial ecosystems in South Sulawesi.
Hasanuddin University has integrated aspects of local biodiversity into its campus planning and development policies through the Hasanuddin University Strategic Plan 2020–2024 and the Hasanuddin University Masterplan 2024–2044. In the 2020–2024 Strategic Plan, Chapter II states that Unhas implements an environmentally friendly green campus concept by considering ecological balance and natural resource conservation. Unhas’ vision, which is based on the Indonesian Maritime Continent, also emphasizes the importance of the unity of terrestrial, marine, and aerial ecosystems, which includes biodiversity elements as the foundation for academic and infrastructure development.
Furthermore, Chapter V of the Strategic Plan contains the Campus Infrastructure Development Program, which includes environmentally friendly and sustainable landscape planning activities, reflecting Unhas’ commitment to preserving local flora and fauna in every development project. Meanwhile, the 2024–2044 Masterplan serves as a technical guide regulating spatial planning, zoning, and physical campus development by considering the preservation of biodiversity. This document ensures that each development of buildings, green open spaces, and new facilities must take into account natural vegetation, the ecological function of the area, and the presence of local species.
Currently, Unhas is recognized as an urban forest that contains more than 5,900 trees from 20 different species and houses a 30-hectare educational forest that serves as an arboretum with more than 70 types of endemic Indonesian plants.
In addition, Unhas also conducts research activities related to local biodiversity that can be utilized in construction activities. For example, the student research project PKM Re-Corrosion Heroes09 explored the use of natural materials derived from bamboo grass to prevent corrosion in steel building structures. Other research includes studies on the ebony tree (Diospyros celebica Bakh.), one of Sulawesi’s endemic species with high ecological value and potential for use as a building material.
Hasanuddin University (Unhas) has established concrete policies and programs to mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) within its campus areas and affiliated regions. Through Rector’s Regulation No. 41 of 2023 on the Guidelines for the Management of Educational Forests as Special Purpose Forest Areas, Unhas explicitly regulates efforts for the prevention, control, and protection of ecosystems against invasive alien species (Article 8, point e). This policy emphasizes that all activities within the educational forest area must consider risk analysis and mitigation measures related to invasive species.
In addition, Rector’s Regulation No. 11 of 2023 on the Guidelines for Campus Space and Building Planning and Utilization integrates the principles of a green campus and ecological balance into campus development planning, thereby reducing the potential spread of alien species through construction and landscape activities. All of these policies remain in effect and are actively implemented to date, reflecting UNHAS’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and biodiversity protection.
These policies are implemented through various activities in 2024, including the control of the invasive water hyacinth species and student initiatives to manage invasive bamboo species through the Re-Corrosion Heroes09 Student Creativity Program (PKM). Furthermore, Unhas also focuses on the control and utilization of armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys sp.), one of the invasive species found in South Sulawesi waters. Through Thematic Community Service Programs (KKN Tematik) and Vocational Programs, Unhas students have innovatively transformed the armored catfish into high-value alternative feed and eco-friendly organic fertilizer.
Moreover, in collaboration with the Soppeng Regional Government, the management program for the armored catfish has been integrated with maggot cultivation as a natural feed source, creating a circular economy model that simultaneously controls the invasive species. The synergy between formal policies and field implementation demonstrates that Hasanuddin University not only establishes written regulations but also applies them concretely through education, research, and community service programs.
Hasanuddin University (Unhas) actively collaborates with local communities in maintaining and restoring shared land ecosystems, generating positive impacts on both the environment and community well-being. Through various cross-faculty programs and partnerships, Unhas plays an active role in sustaining agricultural lands, conservation areas, and watershed ecosystems (DAS) in South Sulawesi.
One example is the collaboration with Eratani in developing sustainable agriculture in South Sulawesi, which strengthens environmentally friendly and participatory food production models based on local farming communities. The partnership between the Kerabat Women Farmers Group (KWT) and the Mahatani Student Organization Program (PPK Ormawa) of Unhas reflects the synergy between the academic community and residents in managing sustainable agricultural land.
The Agribusiness Study Program of the Faculty of Agriculture at Unhas assists rice farmers through technology transfer, agribusiness management training, and the application of environmentally friendly agricultural practices to increase land productivity without harming ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Soil Science Study Program conducts community service activities in Maros, collaborating with local communities to conserve soil fertility, prevent erosion, and promote sustainable land management.
Equally important, the watershed (DAS) rehabilitation program in Toraja demonstrates collaboration between the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) of Unhas and PT Vale Indonesia, through tree planting around Toraja Airport to restore upstream ecosystem functions, maintain water quality, and preserve terrestrial ecosystem balance.
Through these various collaborations, Hasanuddin University demonstrates its strong commitment that maintaining shared land ecosystems is not only an academic responsibility but also a collective movement between the university and the community.